Sparking mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



PEPARKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL Y MBUSTION APPLIOALION FILED 1112133. 190?.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESLIE s. CUSHMAN, or LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

SPARKING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

To all whom it may conce n;

Be it known that I, Lnsmn S. Qosnrmn, a citizen of the United States, residingai; Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and Sate of Nebraskajliave invented a new and useful Sparking Mecl1anisnr for Internal- Combust-ion Engines, of which the toltowing is a specification.

This invention relates to ignition apparatus 'for internal combustion engines, and has for its-principal object to provide means whereby a single sparking or induction coil may be used in connection with two or more sparking plugs, thus reducing the expense of installation and wiring, and at the same time making i the device more compact. 3

A lur'thcr object of the invention is to provide a spark rig apparatus which the secondary of the in I duction coil or circuit of the sparking coil may be connccted alternately to the plugs of a double cylinder engine.

" r ..With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain novel features i of construction and arrangement oi parts, hereinafter i'ully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the iornnproportioris, size and minor details oi the structure may he made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. 7

1n the accompanying drawings zl igure l is a side elevation of a sparking mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view olthc same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram of the wiring connection.

Similannumerals of reference are employed to indicatecorrcspondingparts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The device is intended for use in connection with two cylinders A and B, having sparking plugs C-D, respectively. At any convenient point is arranged an induction coil E, the primary oi which is connected in circuit with a suitable battery and spark timer or similar circuit controller. At any suitable point on or adjacent to the engine is secured a box or casing 10 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application. filed June 3,1907.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907. Serial No. 577,102

formed of insulating material and carrying at the front I a number of binding posts 11, 12 and 13, the binding I post 11 being connected to the spark plug 0, the binding post 12 to the spark plug D, and the binding post 13 to the secondary oi the coil. The stems of the r binding posts extend through the wall of the casing and carry contact plates 14, 15 and 16, respectively, l the contact plate 16 being in the term of a curved l strip that is arrangedcn an arcuate line struck from i the center of a shaft 17 that is journalcd in hearings in l the lower part of the casing. I Secured to the shalt 17 is an arm 18 iormed of insu- 'lating material and carrying a metallic plate 19, the I lower end of which is constantly in engagement with the contact. 16, and which may be moved to alterl natcly place said contact plate in circuit with the coni tact plate l4, and contact plate l5, so that the sec-- ondary of the circuit will be alternately connected to the sparking plugs. At a point outside the casing the shaft 17 carries a rocker arm 21 that is connectedv by a rod 22 to an eccentric strap 23 surrounding an eccenl tric 24 on a shalt 25, which shaft may be the main f shaft of the engine or may be eperatively connected i to the engine in any manner.

A distributing switch constructed in accordance with this invention may be readily placed on the side of one of the cylinders and operated from the crank shalt with'out the necessity of employing any gearing or other intricate connecting mechanism.

I claim:-

In apparatus of the class doscrilwd a box or casing, contact plates arranged therein, one adapted to be connected to the terminal of a sparking pit-cult, and the others to the terminals of the sparking plugs. a shaft mounted in the ca "n;;, a rocker arm carried by the shaft, a contact plate carried by the arm and insulated from the shaft, said contact plute being constantly in engagement with the terminal of the sparking circuit, and mechanism for rocking the shaft to move the plate alternately into engagement with the contact plates of the plugs.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed. my signature in the presence c! two witnesses.

LESLIES. CUSHMAN.

Witnesses I timer: F. Mums, 'l. L. ANTHONY. 

